Whether for business or pleasure, traveling can be a fun experience. Traveling can be expensive, though, when you combine airfare, hotel expenses and other costs. The following information will give you some great travel advice on how you can keep your expenses low, while still being able to get to where you need to go.

Carrying an excessive amount of valuables can put you at risk for theft or interrupt the fun of your trip if they are lost or damaged. You don’t want to have to keep track of these valuables at all times, and even worse, they could get stolen.

IF you are in a foreign city, make sure that you are not dealing with people posing as police or other officials. Do not ever give someone your passport; they may steal it. If they are insistent about detaining you, ask to walk to the office. Never, under any circumstances, get in a car with an unknown local.

Even if you are taking a long flight, bring your own comfort supplies and don’t rely on airline personnel to provide them. Pack your headphones, a blanket and even a pillow if you feel like you will use them. It is also wise to bring some snacks, so you will have food that you enjoy eating if you are hungry.

If you are traveling to a specific attraction, such as an amusement park, see if you can purchase tickets online, and print them in advance. The fee is worth the time you save skipping the lines. If the park you are visiting has a timed entry, you can skip admission lines too.

Take some clothespins along with you on your trips. These are not typical travel gear, but they do come in handy.

Workout at the gym prior to your flight. Taking a long flight can be tedious. Sitting in the same position for long periods of time can cause leg and back cramps. Working out prior to a long flight can relax your body and reduce uncomfortable feelings in your body due to the flight.

Try taking a mild sleeping aid during your red-eye flight. This can help you to sleep in a situation that many are uncomfortable in, on board an airplane. If you have anxiety about flying, get your doctor to prescribe sleeping medicine to get you through your flight. Always wait until you are safely in the air before taking your sleeping pill because delays can happen or planes can be grounded.

Make sure your passport hasn’t expired. A lot of countries have certain rules concerning passports. Even if it is still valid, if it expires soon, you may have problems. These periods usually range anywhere from a year to three months.

Determine if you will need a visa to visit your destination. If a visa will be required, apply for it early. Sometimes visas take weeks or even months to process, so it’s best to be prepared ahead of time. Without the right paperwork, you could be prevented from entering your destination country.

Major airlines have e-newsletters you may be able to subscribe to and find deals. Their online newsletters often include last-minute discounts, special offers and other promotions not offered to any other consumers. It’s true, this means one more email to fill your inbox, but the amount of money you can save could by well worth it.

National Parks

The National Park Pass is a good investment if you will be making frequent visits to the National Parks. The passes can be purchased for $50 and are a great deal as they cover all national parks for one full year.

When you make travel plans, thinking ahead is important, so do not forget about the weather. Be aware of typical weather conditions at your destination and plan accordingly. Unexpected weather can turn a vacation into a nightmare.

Now that you know how to travel smart, you’re ready for smooth sailing. You can rest assured that you will enjoy traveling more if you reach your destination with plenty of money saved.